How to Kickstart an Ironhead

How to kick a 1970 sportster...

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Kickstart
• Ironhead
• Sportster
• Harley
• motorcycle

[gotwrench]

Yeah I can tell you exactly where to look...there are two types kicker ratchet gears that look nearly identical if you dont know there's two options...the gear im talking about is the one inside the primary, between the clutch and the trans case....looks like a big toothed gear but only half the teeth are cut into it- so one style has the teeh cut in a diferent spot on that round gear, so your kicker pedal would grab at a different ( higher) spot in the stroke of kicking your bike over.....cool?

[ptk1234]

Used to do the Sportster strip with a 1964 XLCH.

Start out fully dressed with leathers, helmet and gloves.

After about 500 kicks would be shirtless and wet with sweat.

Also learned that old kickstart Sportsters will start on the first kick if you are by yourself and the 101st kick if there's a crowd around.

Ultimately bought a house on a hill so i could jump start it on cold mornings.

Cold was anything below 95.

[gotwrench]

@ptk1234

you nailed that one right there....when I first started trying to get this thing running I would get so pissed it wouldn't start so I'd be determined to start that M'F'R Id be sweatin and huffin and wheezin forever kickin that thing....Now my right leg is bigger than my left one im sure

you are a true ironhead owner for sure

[armybradarmy]

Thanks for the info. I am now up against setting the spring tention on the 1958 dry clutch plate. Then set the screw in the centre of worm gear, then set the clutch cable. Just one problem.....does anyone know the clutch springs torque???This is the only thing that is holding me back from driving the hell out of my hog.... Thanks

[gotwrench]

never had my hands in a 58, but my 70 has spacers(metal tube) on each of the springs+nuts to tighten down on, and the studs are welded to a plate on other end of clutch pack.. if I remember correct, wait, yeah that was the day I saved that baby from the fire and then cheerleaders came over and did some naked cheers while everyone I hated in school got a flaming shitbag on their door...so yeah, im sure I remember that right...so prolly a whole different party since yours is dry and mines wet(eew)

[gotwrench]

right on, little bro. Wish I got my start at your age...the chickees won't be able to keep their panties on when you come rollin in on a REAL old school harley...and you got every reason to live it the fuck up!

[barkulator]

To kick start a Sporty 1) call the boss and tell him you'll be an hour late...lol

Just joking with ya. God bless, enjoy and ride safe!

[justjooniin]

I must be a lucky guy, as I've never had any real issues with starting my ironhead. All the problems that I've experienced, had something to do with out of tune carb or ignition. When cold, twist the throttle a few times, with ignition off kick it over a couple of times, ignition on and it usually starts with a first kick. When hot, just don't touch the throttle and kick it once with ignition on.

[johnsuddarth34]

man if ur kicker clutch drops thru ur fucked kickstartin like tht .....standing on the pegs is no bueno

[riderpoet]

It's worth mentioning that it might not be a good idea to do that directly under the garage door. If that motor happens to kick back, you could find yourself waking up in the hospital with your last memory being the top of your head meeting the bottom of the garage roof. Fun video, otherwise.

[NubsWithGuns]

@ptk1234

makes me wonder where the riding in jeans and a t shirt really came from hahah

cuz you guys where too hot and worked up from starting your bikes lol

[jahgoodherbs]

haveing a fully charged battery is key also it looked like you had a stuck valve in a few of your clips because the motor was not getting compression. fuel compression spark kick looks like you got it now though good luck

[richprint29]

Are those 14 inch or 16 inch apehangers on that bike?

[richprint29]

Are those 14 inch or 16 inch apehangers on that bike?

[CR125MANIAC]

all i say is bollox to kick starting a feckin v twin

[deathtrap68]

my 77 xl had a magnto and i could never get it to start when oi was drunk and it put me over the bars twice when i didnt retard it!!! awww memories